Candidates’ survey answers coming

The Daily Journal is in the process of contacting each candidate for public office in the upcoming election on Nov. 5 and soliciting answers to a brief, four-question survey.

Candidates’ responses will be published in a series of articles between Saturday and Nov. 1.

Those seeking office in Richmond County will be contacted by either email or phone and are asked to limit their responses to a total of 400 words. They also have been asked to provide an updated photo or stop by the newspaper’s office at 105 E. Washington St., Rockingham, and Journal staff will take a photo for them.

Candidates in races in the following municipalities are being contacted: Rockingham, Hamlet, Ellerbe and Hoffman. Dobbins Heights voters have already concluded their 2013 election.

In Rockingham, incumbent Mayor M. Steven Morris faces challenge David Browder. Four candidates are vying for three seats on the Rockingham City Council. Incumbents Travis Billingsley and Gene Willard face challenges from Denise Sullivan and Teressa Beavers.

There are four candidates seeking two open seats on the Hamlet City Council. Dewey Levander Brower is seeking re-election but faces competition from Eddie Martin, Jesse McQueen and Bert Unger. In the mayoral race, Bill Bayless is the sole candidate listed on the ballot. Mayor Jeff Smart is not seeking re-election.

There are three seats up for grabs on the Ellerbe Town Council and six candidates, including incumbents Evon Craven and Brenda Chambers along with challengers Corey Brewington, Jean C. Fletcher, Barbara Moton and Archie Robinson. There is one unexpired term to fill. That position currently is filled by James “Buddy” Cooper. Cooper is seeking to maintain the seat but faces competition from Elsie Freeman and Jeremy McKenzie.

In Hoffman, there is a two-way race for mayor between Lee P. Butler and Tommy Hart. There are four candidates — Riccardo Anderson, Althea Sloan Cobb, Rory K. Jones and Daniel Kelly — for five open seats. It’s almost inevitable that a write-in candidate will with the fifth and final seat.

Through Wednesday night, all candidates for office in Rockingham and Hamlet had been sent an email as well as the majority of candidates from Ellerbe and Hoffman who provided the Richmond County Board of Elections office with a valid email address.

If a candidate for any of the above-mentioned positions has not yet been contacted, they are encouraged to call Kevin Spradlin, editor and content manager, at 910-997-3111 ext. 13 or send an email to kspradlin@civitasmedia.com

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